Identification of HAB Species Occurrence in the Mid-Atlantic
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a prevalent problem in today’s waterways. They are a naturally occurring process, but can be exacerbated by anthropogenic influxes of nutrients into the hydrosphere. An increase in nutrients in the waterways causes an increase in primary productivity by phytoplankton. These phytoplankton may include HAB species, known for their negative impacts on human health, wildlife, and water quality during bloom events. Algal blooms may also cause “dead zones”, or anoxic zones, within a body of water that can result in fish kills.
This study looks at phytoplankton data collected during cruises in the Mid-Atlantic dating back to 2016. We utilized the IFCB phytoplankton database from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to identify HAB species captured within their Imaging FlowCytobot. Using their field data alongside photographs from the Imaging FlowCytobot, we focused on four HAB-causing species prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic: Karenia, Scrippsiella, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Margalefidinium. Using these resources as well as the NOAA Storm Database, we hope to identify trends between HAB species occurrence, temperature, and storm phenomena off the East Coast.
We can expect to see a rise in HAB count with decreasing temperature. Our study aims to support this conclusion while considering the other factors HAB occurrence is dependent on, synthesizing the system as a whole. In the future, we hope to use these findings to enhance prediction, prevention, and mitigation of HAB events and species prevalence in the Mid-Atlantic.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Margaret Mulholland, Leah Gibala-Smith
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology | Oceanography | Other Environmental Sciences
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-30-2024 8:30 AM
End Date
3-30-2024 10:00 AM
Identification of HAB Species Occurrence in the Mid-Atlantic
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a prevalent problem in today’s waterways. They are a naturally occurring process, but can be exacerbated by anthropogenic influxes of nutrients into the hydrosphere. An increase in nutrients in the waterways causes an increase in primary productivity by phytoplankton. These phytoplankton may include HAB species, known for their negative impacts on human health, wildlife, and water quality during bloom events. Algal blooms may also cause “dead zones”, or anoxic zones, within a body of water that can result in fish kills.
This study looks at phytoplankton data collected during cruises in the Mid-Atlantic dating back to 2016. We utilized the IFCB phytoplankton database from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to identify HAB species captured within their Imaging FlowCytobot. Using their field data alongside photographs from the Imaging FlowCytobot, we focused on four HAB-causing species prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic: Karenia, Scrippsiella, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Margalefidinium. Using these resources as well as the NOAA Storm Database, we hope to identify trends between HAB species occurrence, temperature, and storm phenomena off the East Coast.
We can expect to see a rise in HAB count with decreasing temperature. Our study aims to support this conclusion while considering the other factors HAB occurrence is dependent on, synthesizing the system as a whole. In the future, we hope to use these findings to enhance prediction, prevention, and mitigation of HAB events and species prevalence in the Mid-Atlantic.